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Curated by Project Syndicate

Toxic Social Media

16 commentaries

Evidence that Russia has used social media to spread fake news is emerging in Britain and Europe, in addition to the United States. Writers for Project Syndicate explore the origins and scope of the threat to democratic countries, and examine possible remedies.

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  1. The Pandora’s Box of the Digital Age
    South Korea missile Getty Images

    The Pandora’s Box of the Digital Age

    Nov 16, 2017 Carl Bildt says cyber weapons are the nukes of the digital age, except that the old rational rules no longer apply.

  2. Facing the Four Structural Threats to US Democracy
    US election Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

    Facing the Four Structural Threats to US Democracy

    Nov 10, 2017 Laura Tyson & Lenny Mendonca show how political dysfunction in Washington, DC, can be bypassed through state and local action.

  3. How Americans Became Vulnerable to Russian Disinformation
    Two students encourage others to join 'Democracy and Citizenship Club' Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images

    How Americans Became Vulnerable to Russian Disinformation

    Nov 7, 2017 Kent Harrington says the Kremlin’s interference in the 2016 US presidential election was symptomatic of bigger problems.

  4. Freeing Africa’s Internet
     Clients surf the internet in Congo Federico Scoppa/Getty Images

    Freeing Africa’s Internet

    Nov 6, 2017 Kizito Byenkya & Alex Humphrey highlight the proliferation of government efforts to control speech online – and how repression can be resisted.

  5. Big Tech Meets Big Government
    Facebook, Google and Twitter executives testify before congress Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

    Big Tech Meets Big Government

    Nov 2, 2017 Mohamed A. El-Erian warns tech firms that if they don't recognize their systemic importance, they may face a powerful backlash.

  6. Fake News and Biased News
    Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe answers questions during a short press interview Kazuhiro Nogi/Getty Images

    Fake News and Biased News

    Oct 31, 2017 Koichi Hamada condemns media in Japan and elsewhere that use their final cut to manipulate rather than to inform.

  1. anheier26_Markus Lenhardtpicture alliance via Getty Images_reichstag Markus Lenhardt/picture alliance via Getty Images

    What Germany’s Next Government Must Do

    Helmut K. Anheier argues that whoever wins the upcoming snap election must make progress in four key areas.
  2. op_yhuang2_BRENDAN SMIALOWSKIAFP via Getty Images_trumpmaga Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

    To Win Back Voters, Democrats Should Let Trump Be Trump

    Yasheng Huang

    By voting for Republican candidates, working-class voters effectively get to have their cake and eat it, expressing conservative moral preferences while relying on Democrats to fight for their basic economic security. The best strategy for Democrats now will be to permit voters to face the consequences of their choice.

    urges the party to adopt a long-term strategy aimed at discrediting the MAGA ideology once and for all.
  3. basu107_JimWatsonGettyImages_steelworkers_trump1 Jim Watson/Getty Images

    What If Trump Keeps His Promises?

    Kaushik Basu warns that the president-elect’s proposed trade policies will erode America’s competitiveness.
  4. singer236_ohn SenterUCGUniversal Images Group via Getty Images)_trump harris ads John Senter/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

    What Progressives Must Learn from Trump’s Campaign

    Peter Singer thinks one of the most important lessons is to uphold open debate and address hot-button issues head-on.
  5. eichengreen196_Sheng JiapengChina News ServiceVCG via Getty Images_brics Sheng Jiapeng/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images

    The BRICS Currency Charade

    Barry Eichengreen chronicles the latest vain attempt to create an alternative to the dollar-based international monetary system.
  6. elerian174_Michael M. SantiagoGetty Images_economy Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

    Once Again, It Was the Economy, Stupid

    Mohamed A. El-Erian

    The economy played a critical role in the 2024 presidential race, creating the conditions not only for Donald Trump to trounce Kamala Harris, but also for a counter-elite to usher in a new power structure. Will the Democrats and “establishment” experts get the message?

    explains how and why Democrats failed to connect with US voters’ pocketbook realities.
  7. COP29 Accelerating the Transition to a Decarbonized Future Event Thumbnail

    PS Events: COP29 Live From Baku

    PS editors present the COP29 Live From Baku event.
  8. barfi27_MANDEL NGANAFP via Getty Images_trumpnetanyahu Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

    Trumpian Turmoil Is Coming to the Middle East

    Barak Barfi thinks that the regional leaders who are cheering now may soon be pining for a less capricious leader.
  9. galbraith38_MandelNganGettyImages_democrats_funeral Mandel Ngan/Getty Images

    The Democrats Committed Suicide This Year

    James K. Galbraith thinks the party has only itself to blame for losing the 2024 election on low voter turnout.

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